For many years preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome have been managed with a combination of intubation and surfactant replacement therapy. It is now recognized that applying noninvasive ventilation (NIV) such as nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in preterm infants is a reasonable alternative to early intubation after birth. Recently, nasal CPAP has shown a benefit with a small reduction in the risk of the combined outcome of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. There has been an upsurge in the use of NIV as primary therapy for preterm infants, bringing with it the dilemma of when and how to give exogenous surfactant. In an effort to overcome this problem, minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) to spontaneously breathing infants, allows them to remain on CPAP in first days after birth. MIST has included administration of exogenous surfactant by brief tracheal catheterization, aerosolization, laryngeal mask, and intrapharyngeal instillation. In recent clinical trials, surfactant delivery via brief tracheal catheterization was found to reduce the need for subsequent intubation and mechanical ventilation and to improve short-term respiratory outcomes. In conclusion, MIST is gentle, safe, feasible and effective to perform in preterm infants and will also be used commonly in Korea.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intubation ; Korea ; Laryngeal Masks ; Noninvasive Ventilation ; Parturition ; Respiration ; Respiration, Artificial

To date, preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) after birth have been managed with a combination of endotracheal intubation, surfactant instillation, and mechanical ventilation. It is now recognized that noninvasive ventilation (NIV) such as nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in preterm infants is a reasonable alternative to elective intubation after birth. Recently, a meta-analysis of large controlled trials comparing conventional methods and nasal CPAP suggested that CPAP decreased the risk of the combined outcome of bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death. Since then, the use of NIV as primary therapy for preterm infants has increased, but when and how to give exogenous surfactant remains unclear. Overcoming this problem, minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) allows spontaneously breathing neonates to remain on CPAP in the first week after birth. MIST has included administration of exogenous surfactant by intrapharyngeal instillation, nebulization, a laryngeal mask, and a thin catheter. In recent clinical trials, surfactant delivery via a thin catheter was found to reduce the need for subsequent endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, and improves short-term respiratory outcomes. There is also growing evidence for MIST as an alternative to the INSURE (intubation-surfactant-extubation) procedure in spontaneously breathing preterm infants with RDS. In conclusion, MIST is gentle, safe, feasible, and effective in preterm infants, and is widely used for surfactant administration with noninvasive respiratory support by neonatologists. However, further studies are needed to resolve uncertainties in the MIST method, including infant selection, optimal surfactant dosage and administration method, and need for sedation.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Catheters ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Laryngeal Masks ; Methods ; Noninvasive Ventilation ; Parturition ; Respiration ; Respiration, Artificial

Purpose: The study aimed to examine whether prophylactic surfactant replacement therapy (SRT) with less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) by tracheal catheterization in a group of spontaneously breathing preterm infants would improve clinical outcomes compared to prophylactic SRT with the INtubation-SURfactantExtubation (INSURE) method. Methods: We compared 20 spontaneously breathing preterm infants, 25 to 29 weeks of gestation or with a birth weight of less than 1,250 g, treated with prophylactic SRT using a gastric tube (LISA group), to the 20 spontaneously breathing preterm infants matched by gestational age and birth weight, managed with prophylactic SRT via the INSURE method (INSURE group, historical control). Results: The LISA group had lower rates of mechanical ventilation (MV) 72 hours after birth (P=0.019) and at any time (P=0.025), lower frequency of bradycardia during SRT (P=0.031), and lower median duration of MV than the INSURE group (P=0.038). In multivariate analysis, the LISA method was associated with a significantly lower likelihood of receiving invasive ventilation during hospitalization (odds ratio [OR], 0.029; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.001 to 0.938; P=0.046) and a decreased frequency of bradycardia during SRT (OR, 0.020; 95% CI, 0.001 to 0.535; P=0.020) as compared to the INSURE method. Conclusion Prophylactic SRT using LISA via tracheal catheterization in preterm infants may significantly reduce exposure to MV during hospitalization and bradycardia during surfactant administration.

Purpose: We examined the factors associated with nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) failure in late preterm and term infants with respiratory distress after birth. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on late preterm and term infants with respiratory distress after birth from January 2015 to December 2020. The medical records of 132 infants, who received NIPPV as primary respiratory therapy before 6 hours of age, were retrospectively examined. We excluded five neonates who were either transferred to another hospital (n=2) or presented with congenital anomalies (n=3). Results: The remaining 127 neonates were divided into the NIPPV success group (n=82) and NIPPV failure group (n=45). NIPPV failure was associated with birth in a community hospital, the need for a surfactant, and a high maximum respiratory severity score (RSS ≥2.5) on the first day of life. In the subgroup analysis, NIPPV failure in late preterm infants was associated with a lower gestational age, birth in a community hospital, and an RSS ≥2.5 on the first day of life. In addition, NIPPV failure in term infants was associated with birth in a community hospital, the need for a surfactant, and an RSS ≥2.5 on the first day of life. Conclusion Birth in a community hospital, the need for a surfactant, and an RSS ≥2.5 on the first day of life were significant factors associated with NIPPV failure in late preterm and term infants.

PURPOSE: Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) is considered an important prognostic factor in meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). The aim of this study was to determine the comorbid risk factors for PPHN in infants with MAS. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 60 infants diagnosed with MAS and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the Sanggye Paik Hospital from January 2007 to April 2013. There were 28 infants (47%) with PPHN and 32 infants (53%) without PPHN. Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings within 24 hours after birth, and initial capillary blood gas analysis results were compared between infants with and without PPHN. RESULTS: Incidence of PPHN was associated with the severity of MAS (P<0.001). The PPHN group had a greater incidence of hypotension and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy within 24 hours of birth compared to the non-PPHN group. The PPHN group also had a lower initial pH. However, there was no significant difference for laboratory findings within 24 hours of birth and initial capillary blood gas analysis. In the multivariate analysis, hypotension within 24 hours of birth (P=0.046, odds ratio 11.494, 95% confidence interval 1.048-125.00) was found to be a significant comorbid factor for PPHN in infants with MAS. CONCLUSION: Infants with MAS who develop hypotension within 24 hours of birth should be closely monitored for development of PPHN.
Blood Gas Analysis ; Capillaries ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Hypotension ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Parturition ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors*

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and identify the risk factors for cystic PVL in preterm infants with gestational age (GA) less than 32 weeks according to gestational age group. METHODS: The medical records and brain imaging were reviewed for preterm infants with less than 32 weeks GA who lived more than 4 weeks and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital from January 2009 to June 2015. We determined the incidence and the risk factors for the development of cystic PVL in preterm infants according to GA group. RESULTS: Incidence of cystic PVL was 15.1% (26/172). Multivariate analysis showed that intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) [P=0.006, odds ratio (OR) 5.478, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.641-18.285), oxygen uses over 28 days (P=0.025, OR 3.086, 95% CI 1.152-8.264), and NEC (P=0.042, OR 3.731, 95% CI 1.047-13.333) were independent risk factors for the developmental of cystic PVL. Subgroup analysis showed that pregnancy-induce hypertension and IVH were independent risk factors in preterm infants with GA of less than 28 weeks. Also, oxygen uses over 28 days and culture proven sepsis were independent risk factors in preterm infants with GA of 28(+0)-31(+6) weeks. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that pregnancy-induce hypertension and IVH may increase the risk for the subsequent development of cystic PVL in preterm infants with GA of less than 28 weeks, and oxygen uses over 28 days and culture proven sepsis may increase in preterm infants with GA of 28(+0)-31(+6) weeks.
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Gestational Age* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular* ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neuroimaging ; Odds Ratio ; Oxygen ; Risk Factors* ; Sepsis

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and identify the risk factors for cystic PVL in preterm infants with gestational age (GA) less than 32 weeks according to gestational age group. METHODS: The medical records and brain imaging were reviewed for preterm infants with less than 32 weeks GA who lived more than 4 weeks and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital from January 2009 to June 2015. We determined the incidence and the risk factors for the development of cystic PVL in preterm infants according to GA group. RESULTS: Incidence of cystic PVL was 15.1% (26/172). Multivariate analysis showed that intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) [P=0.006, odds ratio (OR) 5.478, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.641-18.285), oxygen uses over 28 days (P=0.025, OR 3.086, 95% CI 1.152-8.264), and NEC (P=0.042, OR 3.731, 95% CI 1.047-13.333) were independent risk factors for the developmental of cystic PVL. Subgroup analysis showed that pregnancy-induce hypertension and IVH were independent risk factors in preterm infants with GA of less than 28 weeks. Also, oxygen uses over 28 days and culture proven sepsis were independent risk factors in preterm infants with GA of 28(+0)-31(+6) weeks. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that pregnancy-induce hypertension and IVH may increase the risk for the subsequent development of cystic PVL in preterm infants with GA of less than 28 weeks, and oxygen uses over 28 days and culture proven sepsis may increase in preterm infants with GA of 28(+0)-31(+6) weeks.
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Gestational Age* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular* ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neuroimaging ; Odds Ratio ; Oxygen ; Risk Factors* ; Sepsis

PURPOSE: Ibuprofen and indomethacin has been used in treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in Korea. But, there were few reports about oral ibuprofen for the treatment of PDA. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral ibuprofen versus intravenous indomethacin for the treatment of PDA in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: A retrospective study of VLBW infants treated with oral ibuprofen or intravenous indomethacin for symptomatic PDA at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital between February 2002 and April 2012 was performed. RESULTS: We identified 43 infants that received oral ibuprofen and 9 infants that received intravenous indomethacin. There were no significant differences in the efficacy and safety between oral ibuprofen group and intravenous indomethacin group. There was no significant difference between the use of oral ibuprofen before 48 hours after birth and after 48 hours the efficacy and safety. CONCLUSION: In our study, oral ibuprofen appears to be as effective as intravenous indomethacin for the treatment of PDA in VLBW infants with similar complication rates.
Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Humans ; Ibuprofen ; Indomethacin ; Infant ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Korea ; Parturition ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Many children and adolescents are exposed to the risk of cardiovascular diseases because of increase in obesity and obesity-related metabolic derangements in children and adolescents. The diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome is useful to identify these children with high cardiovascular risk. In 2007, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) presented a new defi nition of the metabolic syndrome for children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome using the IDF pediatric defi nition in Korean children and adolescents. METHODS: We used data from 931 participants aged 10-19 years in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed by the new IDF pediatric defi nition. RESULTS: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Korean children and adolescents aged 10-19 years was 2.0 +/- 0.5% (boys: 3.1 +/- 0.8%, girls: 0.8 +/- 0.4%). Approximately 95% of children and adolescents with the metabolic syndrome was classifi ed with obesity and none of the normal-weighted participants were diagnosed with the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Korean children and adolescents was 2.0 +/- 0.5%. It is expected that the new IDF pediatric defi nition will help to detect children with high cardiovascular risk early and to manage them properly. However, whether the IDF pediatric defi nition of the metabolic syndrome and cut-off points of its components are appropriate for Korean children and adolescents should be answered through future research.
Adolescent ; Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Child ; Humans ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Prevalence

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the clinical characteristics between neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension of neonates (PPHN) with parenchymal lung disease (PLD) and those with idiopathic PPHN. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 67 neonates with gestational ages not lesser than 34⁺⁰ weeks who were born at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital between June 1, 2005 and December 31, 2016. We excluded 10 neonates who presented with congenital anomalies (n=3), dextrocardia (n=1), triple X syndrome (n=1), death before treatment (n=1), neonatal asphyxia (n=2), and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (n=2). Neonates were categorized into 2 groups—PPHN with PLD (PLD group, those diagnosed with PLD such as respiratory distress syndrome or meconium aspiration syndrome, n=36) and idiopathic PPHN (idiopathic group, n=21). We compared the clinical characteristics, treatment, and laboratory findings between the groups. RESULTS: The PLD group neonates showed a greater requirement for positive pressure ventilation in the delivery room, higher frequency of meconium staining of amniotic fluid, and greater need for surfactant application than those belonging to the idiopathic group. In contrast, epinephrine use was more common in the idiopathic PPHN group than in the PLD group. The 1-minute Apgar score and pH observed on initial capillary blood gas analysis were lower in the PLD than in the idiopathic group. Severity scores were higher in the idiopathic than in the PLD group 4–7 days after birth. CONCLUSION: In our study, an overall simplified severity score in the first week after birth was higher in the idiopathic than in the PLD group. These results were particularly statistically significant over postnatal days 4–7.
Amniotic Fluid ; Apgar Score ; Asphyxia ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Capillaries ; Delivery Rooms ; Dextrocardia ; Epinephrine ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Infant, Newborn* ; Lung Diseases* ; Lung* ; Meconium ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome ; Medical Records ; Parturition ; Positive-Pressure Respiration